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3 Cleveland Browns who will explode in 2020

By Justice Sunderland

CLEVELAND, OHIO - NOVEMBER 24: Running back Kareem Hunt #27 of the Cleveland Browns runs to score a touchdown while under pressure from defensive back Nik Needham #40 of the Miami Dolphins during the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 24, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)"n
CLEVELAND, OHIO - NOVEMBER 24: Running back Kareem Hunt #27 of the Cleveland Browns runs to score a touchdown while under pressure from defensive back Nik Needham #40 of the Miami Dolphins during the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 24, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)"n /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 16: Defensive End Olivier Vernon #54 of the Cleveland Browns rushes the passer against the New York Jets in the first half at MetLife Stadium on September 16, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images).
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 16: Defensive End Olivier Vernon #54 of the Cleveland Browns rushes the passer against the New York Jets in the first half at MetLife Stadium on September 16, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images). /

3. Olivier Vernon

A lot of fans and media have called for Olivier Vernon to be let go by the Browns, mainly because it would save the team $15 million in cap space. Plus he only had 26 tackles and three and a half sacks last season.

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That doesn’t seem like enough production for the highest-paid player on the team. But when you watch the tape, Vernon actually played good in 2019. He was good against the run which was rare on a defense that ranked 30th against the run.

Vernon has the strength to hold his position and the intelligence to stay home. Sometimes his impact doesn’t show up on the stat sheet because he forces runs back inside or gets double-teamed. And he got after the quarterback at a decent rate although his sack numbers don’t reflect it.

Vernon seemed to be on the top of the chopping block going into the offseason because he can be cut and Cleveland would save $15 million in cap space.

When you look at the numbers it seems like a great idea but who would replace him, Chad Thomas or Porter Gustin? We saw that last season and it wasn’t pretty.

All Vernon needs to do is convert some of his good plays to the stat sheet. If he does look for him to be a standout for this defense.

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